Pivot joint for beds

ABSTRACT

A pivot joint particularly for hospital beds includes two hollow tubular mattress frame support members which are adapted to extend in longitudinal directions and each of which receives a pivot joint element. Each pivot joint element includes a substantially vertically extending member in the form of a column or tube which receives a clamping member such as a screw for clamping the joint element to the associated tubular frame of the bed. In addition to the vertical members, the pivot joint element includes cross-members extending transversely. One, or both, of the cross-members is provided with a slot extending inwardly therefrom which is adapted to be aligned with a slot of the tubular member and a support element or web for the mattress frame extends into the slot and is secured therein after the pivot member is secured to the tubular member. Each pivot joint member includes an arm portion which extends outwardly from the hollow tubular frame and which includes a transverse opening for a pivot pin to extend therethrough for pivotally connecting the joint elements together.

United States Patent [191 Benoit et al.

[ June 25, 1974 PIVOT JOINT FOR BEDS [75] Inventors: Roland A. Benoit, Danielson;

Richard H. Duprey, Dayville, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: lnterroyal Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 279,637

2,703,724 3/1955 Yuen et a1. 287/101 X Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmMarch: Arthur A.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A pivot joint particularly for hospital beds includes two hollow tubular. mattress frame support members which are adapted to extend in longitudinal directions and each of which receives a pivot joint element. Each pivot joint element includes a substantially vertically extending member in the form of a column or tube which receives a clamping member such as a screw for clamping the joint element to the associated tubular frame of the bed. In addition to the vertical members, the pivot joint element includes cross-members extending transversely. One, or both, of the crossmembers is provided with a slot extending inwardly therefrom which is adapted to be aligned with a slot of the tubular member and a support element or web for the mattress frame extends into the slot and is secured therein after the pivot member is secured to the tubular member. Each pivot joint member includes an arm portion which extends outwardly from the hollow tubular frame and which includes a transverse opening for a pivot pin to extend therethrough for pivotally connecting the joint elements together.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 PIVOT JOINT FOR BEDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the construction of pivot joints and, in particular, to a new and useful pivot joint, particularly for beds, which includes pivot joint elements which are adapted to be received into hollow tubular frames and which are secured therein by a securing bolt and which includes transversely extending receiving slots for connecting web elements of the frame therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art" At the present time, it is known to provide pivot elements for beds which include interengageable pivot devices of the tubular frame members of such beds. The known constructions require connection not only of the two pivot joint elements to the hollow tubular frame members of the bed frame or the mattress support, but they also require separate mechanism for securing the individual web members of the mattress support into position adjacent the pivotal connectors. The known devices are composed of many parts and are difficult to manufacture and to assemble and, thus, are very costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pivot joint assembly for a bed which includes a pivot joint element which is adapted to be received into the interior of each hollow longitudinal bed frame member. The pivot joint element includes a clamping portion which fits into the hollow tubular frame member and which includes a transversely extending slot portion which aligns with a slot of the tubular member to receive the web elements of the mattress support or frame support of the bed. When the clamping portions are clamped, the mattress support or web is also clamped into position. Each pivot joint element also includes a member which extends outwardly from the associated hollow tubular frame element and provides a bearing for a pivot connection for this member and the adjacent member of the pivot element contained in the adjacent hollow frame member. The two elements are interconnected by a pivot pin bearing in the form of a hollow insert pivot part which extends through one side of the joint and a securing bolt which is threaded into the pivot insert on the opposite side. The inventive construction provides a simple and inexpensive pivot joint assembly which includes means for securing the webbing portion of a mattress support to the frame elements and which provides a pivotal joint for the frame elements.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved pivot joint assembly, particularly for beds, which includes a pivot element which is adapted to be fitted into a hollow frame member and which includes means for clamping the webbing portion of the frame in position therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot joint construction which includes first and second pivot joint elements which have parts which are fitted into tubular members of the frame and which are secured in position by a cross'bolt of the hollow tubular frame which extends through the frame element and into the pivot element portion, the hollow tubular frame members of the mattress support being slotted along a side to receive the webbing of the mattress support and the cross-bolt being tightened for clamping the webbing to the pivot element and for closing the tubular frame over the webbing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot joint assembly which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a bed having a pivot joint constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view partly cut-away showing the manner in which the mattress support webbing is held in the mattress support frame of the bed shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a pivot joint assembly for the bed shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied therein in F IG. 1, comprises a bed, generally designated 10, which includes a headboard portion 12 and a footboard portion 14 and a mattress support element, generally designated 16, having a pivot joint or joints, generally designated 18, which are constructed in accordance with the invention. Mattress support element 16 includes webbing or mattress supports 20 which extend into slots 22 which are formed along the sides of tubular frame members 24 of the mattress support.

In accordance with the invention, the pivot joint assembly 18 comprises a first pivot element, generally designated 26, and a second pivot element, generally designated 28. The pivot elements 26 and 28 each include an ann portion 30 and 30', respectively, having pivot bores 32 and 32', respectively, which are aligned for the purpose of receiving a pivot pin assembly, generally designated 34. The pivot pin assembly 34 includes a hollow tubular pivot part 36 and a threaded securement member or bolt 38 which engage with each other from oppositely extending directions when they are positioned in the respective bores 32 and 32. A pivot washer 40 extends around the hollow tubular member 36 and provides a spacing between the pivot joints to permit their easy pivotal movement.

Each pivot element 26 and 28 also includes a male part or engagement member, generally designated 44,

which extends into the hollow tubular portion of the frame member 24. This part 44 includes crossmembers or transverse parts 44a which have slots 44b extending transversely and which are adapted to receive the webbing 16. The internal part of the male part 44 also includes a substantially vertically extending part 440 which provides a mounting for securing or clamping elements in the form of a rivet 46 which passes through and holds the webbing 16. The webbing 16 extends between side portions 44d and 44e (FIG. which are engaged on the webbing 16. The rivet 46 also clamps the hollow tubes 24 so as to close the slot 22 over the webbing 16.

In the embodiment shown, the element 28 has a securing rivet 50 which extends completely through the hollow tubular frame member 24 and the interior part 44 of the pivot element 28.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, comprising first and second pivotally interengageable elements each including an interior portion adapted to fit into the hollow tubular frame member and including means for securing said interior portion to said hollow tubular frame member, said first and second pivotally interengageable elements also including an arm portion extending out of their associated hollow tubular frame members and each having a pivot bore which are arranged in alignment with each other, and pivot pin means extending through the aligned bores for pivotally interconnecting said first and second pivotally interengageable elements, said interior portion comprising a first member having clamping means and a second cross-member having a slot for engaging the webbing of said frame member which slot is partly closed by said clamping means.

2. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, according to claim 1, wherein said pivot pin means includes a first hollow tubular pivot member pivoted to said arm portion of said first pivotally interengageable element and a second bolt threadably engaged in said first hollow tubular member in the opposite side extending through the second pivotally interengageable element arm portion holding said am portions together in pivotal interengagement.

3. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, according to claim 2, including a washer disposed between said arm portions of said first and second pivotally interengageable elements. 

1. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, comprising first and second pivotally interengageable elements each including an interior portion adapted to fit into the hollow tubular frame member and including means for securing said interior portion to said hollow tubular frame member, said first and second pivotally interengageable elements also including an arm portion extending out of their associated hollow tubular frame members and each having a pivot bore which are arranged in alignment with each other, and pivot pin means extending through the aligned bores for pivotally interconnecting said first and second pivotally interengageable elements, said interior portion comprising a first member having clamping means and a second cross-member having a slot for engaging the webbing of said frame member which slot is partly closed by said clamping means.
 2. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, according to claim 1, wherein said pivot pin means includes a first hollow tubular pivot member pivoted to said arm portion of said first pivotally interengageable element and a second bolt threadably engaged in said first hollow tubular member in the opposite side extending through the second pivotally interengageable element arm portion holding said arm portions together in pivotal interengagement.
 3. A pivot assembly for bed frames having a hollow tubular frame member, according to claim 2, including a washer disposed between said arm portions of said first and second pivotally interengageable elements. 